Handy Boy

The patio swing I bought when I lived in Savoy has swung its last. The rust got the best of it. Alex was less disappointed than I thought he would be, in part because taking apart the swing and building a castle out of the parts was way too much fun. He was so concerned about the castle getting blown down in the wind that when I put him to bed he asked me to check on it and then asked me if I would check on it again in the morning before it was time for him to get up.

He also was very helpful in the assembly department when we brought home a new patio set. It was the first time he used a real wrench, and he was super psyched about that.

Race Day

Today was the Race for the Zoo. Just like last year, the plan was that I would run the 5K and that Dave and Alex would come meet me so Alex could do the kids' run. I did my part (and got a PR in the 5K!), but at the last minute Alex decided not to do the kids' race. We still had a great time roaming the zoo, and, given how crowded it was at the kids' race, it was probably just as well that he didn't run.

Pinning on his race bib

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a fantastic trip for Memorial Day, visiting our friends' place in Michigan. It was super hot, which required many trips to the pool, much to the delight of the kids. Alex would have stayed at the pool the entire time if we would have let him. He even passed up playing at the lake for more than a few minutes to go back to the pool.

Goggles are all the rage

Swimming buddies

Water shooters!

After dinner walk with the dog

The chairs had to be visited every day

Word Up, Word Girl

Alex has been really getting into the PBS show "Word Girl." He's watching an episode right now, and I just overheard the following exchange between him and Dave.

Dave:  Do you know what fictional means?
Alex:  Something that's made up.

I think I love this show!

Baseball Time

We haven't ventured into anything formal yet, but between his tee ball set and playing baseball with Cecily (who is playing tee ball right now) we've finally seen some real interest from Alex.

He and Dave got a mitt for him this weekend, and I took him out for some practice. He may have already given up on the tee because he loves hitting when you pitch to him. I was surprised at how many times he hit the ball that way, including two hits right back at me.

Passover and Easter Weekend

We had a celebratory weekend, as Passover and Easter fell at the same time this year. No pics, but we had a good time at the annual Hauser Seder. It's fun to see the kids progress each year.

We had an Easter Egg hunt at the house in part because we always do and in part to make up for the disappointing Easter Egg hunt at our local park last weekend. This was their first year holding it, and they clearly expected far fewer people to turn out than actually did. I'm sure next year will be even better.

Ready to go!

Good idea, but there were no eggs under the couch

Found one!

An egg inside an egg

Florida Trip, Part 2

We just got a few photos from the family photographer (Grandpa D.), so here's another sampling of our adventures in Florida. (Please excuse the layout. Blogger is not being very user-friendly right now, and my HTML skills are not up to snuff yet.)

Alex the Builder
(Alex could have played with
these life-sized Tinkertoys all day!)

Boy, are these prices high!

Seriously, aren't I cool

A man's beach is his castle